New Minnesota State Fair Foods for 2025, Ranked

We needed this. In a time where restaurant closings are being announced left and right, the list of new Minnesota State Fair foods is a breath of fresh air, an injection of new energy, a sign that everything is going to be OK.

There are 33 official new foods. As is my tradition, I will rank them based on my level of interest, my expectation of success, and my desire to troll you by making you mad about at least one of these. This is based on my experience in more than 15 years of reviewing most new foods at the fair, and is not based in any truly useful metric. I’ve been wrong before on things that I thought would be meh and turned out to be great, although usually the things I think are going to be awful turn out to be awful. Of course, awful is part of the fun at the Fair.

Urban Growler is bringing mocktails to the fair as a new vendor called “Urban Glow Mocktails.” I am glad to see a mocktail vendor, there are always lots of requests for NA drinks that aren’t just juices or lemonades. Also, read on for a couple surprises from Saturday Dumpling Co. and Patisserie 46. Midtown Global Market is rotating in Hoyo Sambusas, which is exciting. I love Hoyo. Lumpias (Filipino egg rolls) are a great Fair food idea, so why not. The full list is below.

Trends in the new foods: There are two waffle combos (croissant waffle and falafel waffle), there’s only one dill item, the hot honey bit is alive and well, international flavors are part of the newness, and it’s gonna be a sweet summer. Lots of sweet stuff. Disappointments? I know a couple vendors tried to get riffs on the Juicy Lucy into the fair—it is the official contribution of Minnesota to food culture! Maybe they’re waiting for Matt’s now that Matt’s Bar has a mobile operation. Here we go:

JASON’S OFFICIAL PRE-STATE FAIR RANKING OF NEW FOODS

1. Pot of Gold Potato Dumplings: O’Gara’s got the Saturday Dumpling Co. team to make cheesy garlic mashed potato dumplings and they’re going to fry it and serve it with Top the Tater® “The Original” Chive Onion dip? Genius. At O’Gara’s at the Fair, located on the southwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue & Cosgrove Street

   

   All photos courtesy of Minnesota State Fair

2. Timber Twists: It’s been a bit since Giggles has had a new food. Take Italian sausage, mozzarella, cream cheese and barbecue rub and pipe it into three large manicotti shells, wrap it in bacon, then smoke it. I’m excited, despite that this picture looks a little gross. At Giggles’ Campfire Grill, located on the southeast corner of Lee Avenue & Cooper Street at The North Woods

   

3. Caprese Curds: This is a great idea. If the tomatoes are poppin’, putting deep-fried cheese curds in my summertime favorite flavor combo of basil, balsamic, and mozz is a sure winner. My fear is that the chopped tomatoes will be lifeless—but they should be in season come State Fair time. At LuLu’s Public House, located at West End Market, south of Schilling Amphitheater

   

4. Fawaffle: Take falafel batter and press it in a waffle. I like a savory waffle, top it with tahini butter, tomatoes, hummus, green sauce, and mint—this sounds excellent from one of my favorite vendors at the fair. BABA’S, located on the west side of Underwood Street between Lee & Randall avenues

   

5. Athena’s Whipped Feta: I love Dino’s—great beer, love the karaoke, the gyro is great. Usually the new foods miss with me. This sounds highly promising: whipped feta topped with schug—a Middle Eastern mildly spicy green sauce, drizzled with extra virgin olive oil, and sprinkled with crunchy toasted wild rice. Served with deep-fried pita bread. At Dino’s Gyros, located on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson & Underwood streets

   

6. Grandma Doreen’s Dessert Dog: Horrifying name, clever idea. I will be getting this coffee cake ice cream sandwich—Minnesota Dairy Lab Vanilla ice cream, sandwiched between two pieces of Grandma Doreen’s Coffee Cake—a family recipe from Elgin, Minnesota—made by Wrecktangle Pizza. Skewered on a stick and drizzled with house-made strawberry rhubarb jam. Garnished with cinnamon toast-flavored crispy treats, whipped cream, and sprinkles. At West End Creamery, located at West End Market, northwest section 

   

7. Sweet Squeakers: The lemon whipped cream is going to make or break this: white cheddar cheese curds coated in a funnel cake batter, deep fried. Blue Barn is one of my all-time favorites—so, we shall see! Finished with a drizzle of berry sauce. This reminds me of the flavor sensation that happened with their French toast; ends up more complex than it appears. At The Blue Barn, located at West End Market, south of the History & Heritage Center

   

8. Bison Meatball Sub: Minnesota Farmers Union rarely misses, but I’m nervous about how heavy a bison and bacon meatball sub is topped with gravy. Sounds nicely balanced with quick-pickled cucumbers and crispy fried onions. The bison is from Minnesota-based Eichten’s Bison and Hidden Stream Farm. Served on a toasted wild rice hoagie bun.
   At Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop, located on the north side of Dan Patch Avenue between Cooper & Cosgrove streets

   

9.  Shrimp & Pork Toast On-A-Stick: This sounds excellent: a mixture of ground pork and shrimp combined with Hmong aromatics—lemongrass, ginger, garlic, shallots, and Thai chilis. A little funky, a little fresh, and deep fried on a stick with a side of apricot jelly hot sauce. I’m in, Yia Vang. At Union Hmong Kitchen, located at the International Bazaar, south wall, west corner

   

10. Afro Bean Pops at Afro Deli: Looks like a black-eyed pea hushpuppy with onions, jalapeños, cilantro, and seasonings. This will be all about the spicy red chili sauce. Afro Deli, located in the Food Building, east wall

    

    Minnesota State Fair

11. Cherry Bigfoot Limeade Float: This hits the spot for me—bright limeade juice with cherry Dole soft serve. Refreshing, fun, delicious. Yep. At Tasti Whip, located on the northwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue & Underwood Street

    

12. Pastries from Patisserie 46: P46 is world-class. I can’t wait to try the pull-apart apple glaze doughnut dough, and the brown-butter crumb cake with banana s’mores vibes. At Minnesota Farmers Union Coffee Shop, located on the north side of Dan Patch Avenue between Cooper & Cosgrove streets

    

13. Hula Kalua Pork: I’m in the tank for RC’s BBQ, I almost always love what they do, and a Hawaiian slow-smoked pork collar is going to be absolutely a banger. Caramelized with a Hawaiian barbecue sauce, inspired by the flavors of traditional Hawaiian Kalua pork. Served atop a charred banana leaf with banana chips and Japanese quick-pickled cucumbers on the side. Finished with a sprinkle of coarse red sea salt. At RC’s BBQ, located on the north side of West Dan Patch Avenue between Liggett & Chambers streets

    

14. Chicken-Fried Bacon Fries: Intriguing. The double-breaded bacon strips should stay crunchy if this is done right—if they’re cold, they’ll be gross. Could be great. Sharable, snackable, looks good. Dip it in Cashville Hot, a brown sugar Nashville-style hot sauce, or 24k Gold BBQ, a passion fruit Charleston gold barbecue sauce. At Soul Bowl, located in the Food Building, east wall

    

15. Flauta Dippers: Seasoned shredded chicken stuffed in rolled corn tortillas and fried. Served in a cup filled with mild tomatillo salsa, sour cream, and cotija cheese. This looks like a parfait—but this is a cool way to have a portable version of flautas. At El Burrito Mercado, located at the International Bazaar, south wall

    

16. Hot Honey Jalapeño Popper Donut: I don’t like hot honey yet I love the doughnuts at Fluffy’s. The real question for you: Will you wait in line for a spicy doughnut? I might. Hand-cut, yeast-raised doughnut frosted with homemade jalapeño cream cheese, Topped with crumbled bacon, pickled jalapeños, and drizzled with hot honey. At Fluffy’s Hand Cut Donuts, located on the northwest corner of Carnes Avenue & Chambers Street

    

17. Somali Street Fries: I worry about the fries getting too soggy under the blend of Somali Beef Suqaar—spiced beef, vegetables, cheese, and herbs. Topped with white garlic sauce and green jalapeño hot sauce. At Midtown Global Market’s Oasis Grill & Hoyo Sambusa, located in the Taste of the Midtown Global Market booth at the International Bazaar, east wall

    

18. Croffle Cloud: Take a croissant batter and toss it in a waffle iron, top with whipped cream, fruit puree, and a cloud of cotton candy. Instagram and TikTok will love this. The flavors sound excellent, I want Yuzu Meringue—yuzu puree with lemon meringue cotton candy. You may want Banana Caramel (caramel drizzle with banana taffy cotton candy) or Coconut Cream (coconut drizzle with coconut cotton candy). At Spinning Wylde, located north of Wright Avenue between Cooper & Cosgrove streets, at Family Fair at Baldwin Park

    

19. Cannoli Gelato Nachos: Mamma mia! In theory this sounds great—in execution, will it be a pile of sloppy mess? I suspect the fact that gelato doesn’t melt into glop quickly will make this work. Cannoli chips topped with a scoop of cannoli-flavored gelato: chocolate sauce, rainbow sprinkles, and a cherry. At Mancini’s al Fresco, located on the north side of Carnes Avenue between Nelson & Underwood streets

    

20. Cinna-sugar Crust Tidbits: Like a cousin to the cannoli nachos: Tipsy Pie’s pie crust strips that you dip in whiskey-flavored caramel dipping sauce. Might be too simple? At Sara’s Tipsy Pies, located in the Food Building, northwest wall

    

21. Green Apple Sucker Ice Cream: Tart green apple ice cream with caramel swirls—simple, refreshing, sounds tasty. At Granny’s Apples + Lemonade, located in the Food Building, west wall

    

22. Tandoori Chicken Quesaratha: A riff on a quesadilla with Indian paratha bread—tandoori chicken layered with a blend of Monterey Jack and mozzarella cheese and a mixture of sauteed onions, mixed bell peppers, jalapeños, corn, cilantro, and green chilis. Not sure why this doesn’t excite me much. At Holy Land, located at the International Bazaar, southeast corner 

    

23. Hot Honey Pizza Ballzz: Green Mill is it again—a stuffed pizza dough ball with cheese curds and pepperoni sounds like I’ll hate myself for liking it. Brushed with garlic butter and topped with more pepperoni, herbs, and Parmesan cheese. Then potentially ruining it with a drizzle of… you guessed it, hot honey sauce. At Green Mill, located on the east side of Cooper Street between Randall & Wright avenues

    

24. Birthday Cake Cookie Dough On-A-Stick: Not for me. Kids will love this. Cake batter cookie dough covered in a crunchy cake confetti shell topped with rainbow sprinkles. At Kora & Mila’s Cookie Dough, located on the south side of Dan Patch Avenue between Cooper & Cosgrove streets

    

25. Uncrustaburger: I’ve had peanut butter burgers before and they’re good! On a hot State Fair day, do you want a cheeseburger with pickles with a deep-fried
    peanut butter and grape jelly Uncrustables® on either side as a bun? No. At Coasters, located on the southeast corner of Carnes Avenue & Liggett Street

    

26. Dill Pickle Iced Tea: I never really got on board the dill trend, and I don’t really want a pickle ice tea. Garnished with a rim of chamoy, Tajín, salt, and dill. At Loon Lake Iced Tea, located on the west side of Underwood Street between Wright & Dan Patch avenues

    

27. Smashadilla: I’m looking forward to everyone ordering it as a “smash-a-dill-ya”—this is a quesadilla with a hamburger inside. No, thanks. At Gass Station Grill, located on the west side of Cooper Street between Dan Patch & Judson avenues, outside southeast corner of the Food Building

    

28. Freaky Fryday: I’m so happy the vegans have options at the Fair! And yet: Chicken-fried vegan bacon served with vegan fried chicken strips infused with bacon flavor sounds like a nightmare I had last week. Top it with mini doughnut cinnamon sugar and maple syrup, pickle seasoning and ranch dressing, spicy buffalo sauce and dragon dust—or a combination of all three, if you’re a real sicko. At The Herbivorous Butcher, located in the Food Building, west section, south wall

    

29. Pimento Cheese Puffs: I love pimento cheese (cheddar, mayo, peppers), but the idea of wrapping it in puff pastry and frying it makes me nervous. Will the cheese be too cold? We’ll see. Served with a side of pepper jelly. At Shanghai Henri’s, located at the International Bazaar, north wall

    

30. Land of 10,000 Cakes: Sounds overly sweet to me, but Nadia Cupcakes are delicious and so is Bridgeman’s butter brittle ice cream. But like, how do you get all these flavors together in a bite? Cupcakes are Crème Brûlée, Loaded Pistachio, and Chocolate Bliss. At Bridgeman’s Ice Cream, located on the northeast corner of Judson Avenue & Liggett Street

    

31. Triple Chocolate Mini Donuts: Triple not-interested in chocolate mini doughnuts with chocolate icing and chocolate sprinkles and chocolate chips in a bucket rimmed with chocolate icing. At Solem’s Cheese Curds & Mini Donuts, located on the east side of Underwood Street between Murphy & Lee avenues

    

32. Pizza Cheese Curd Tacos: I feel like I’m the only one not in love with the cheese curd taco bit, so bear that in mind. Pepperoni, sausage, and pizza-flavored fried cheese curds doesn’t sound great to me. Crispy flour shell. Why not just get a slice of pizza? At Richie’s Cheese Curd Tacos, located on the west side of Chambers Street between West Dan Patch & Carnes

    

33. Deep-Fried Tofuego Bites: Being a vegetarian sounds awful: Bites of breaded tofu, deep fried, and tossed in a tangy, spicy sauce. Served on a bed of pineapple and napa cabbage slaw. Topped with sesame seeds and scallions. At Rooted & Wild (Snack House), located in the Lee & Rose Warner Coliseum, south side

    

NEW FOOD VENDORS:
(descriptions from the Minnesota State Fair)

Beans & Beignets: Beans & Beignets serves freshly made beignets (deep-fried pastry dough topped with powdered sugar), plus a variety of iced and hot beverages, including tea, coffee, chai lattes, and espresso drinks. Located on the northwest corner of Judson Avenue & Clough Street

Chocolate Strawberry Cup: Chocolate Strawberry Cup serves fresh strawberries in a cup with toppings in four flavors: Dubai Chocolate Strawberry Cup (layered with Belgian-style chocolate, pistachio butter, kataifi, and pistachios); Matcha White Chocolate Strawberry Cup (layered with matcha white chocolate and melted chocolate topped with marshmallow sauce); Chocolate Strawberry Cup (covered with melted Belgian-style chocolate); and Chocolate Strawberries and Cream (covered in melted chocolate and topped with a tower of whipped cream and chocolate drizzle). Located on the southwest corner of Dan Patch Avenue & Cooper Street

Greater Tater: Greater Tater serves Tater Kegs—jumbo deep-fried tots stuffed with savory fillings—in five flavors: Bacon Jalapeño; Bacon Cheddar; Breakfast Skillet; Cheese Bomb; and Reuben. Served with choice of sauces: thousand island, blue cheese, Top the Tater®, maple syrup, and ketchup. All Tater Kegs are gluten-free. Located on the west side of Liggett Street between Carnes & Judson avenues, outside the Horse Barn

Lumpia City: Lumpia City serves lumpia—traditional Filipino fried spring rolls—in two fusion flavors: Pizza Lumpia (mozzarella, pepperoni, Italian sausage, pizza sauce, and Italian herbs); and turon-inspired Ube Butter Banana French Toast Lumpia (French toast strips soaked in ube butter syrup with caramelized bananas, dusted with powdered sugar). Located on the north side of Judson Avenue between Liggett & Clough streets

Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes: Magdalena’s Chimney Cakes serves Chimney Cakes (a rotisserie-baked Hungarian pastry shaped like a cone) filled with vanilla ice cream and choice of Nutella® or caramel spread and toppings (crushed OREO® Cookies, rainbow sprinkles, or frosted flakes). Located on the north side of Judson Avenue between Clough & Nelson streets

Midtown Global Market’s Irie Jamaican: Midtown Global Market’s Irie Jamaican serves oxtail (jerk or barbecue) with festival (a sweet, fried bread); sweet plantains; coconut shrimp skewers; and a ginger and hibiscus drink. (Aug. 27 to Sept. 1 only) Located in the Taste of the Midtown Global Market booth at the International Bazaar, east wall

Midtown Global Market’s Oasis Grill & Hoyo Sambusa: Midtown Global Market’s Oasis Grill & Hoyo Sambusa serves Official New Food Somali Street Fries; cones of mini sambusas and full-size sambusas (beef or lentil) with choice of sauce; and slushies in two flavors (Vimto and watermelon). (Aug. 21-26 only) Located in the Taste of the Midtown Global Market booth at the International Bazaar, east wall

Urban Glow Mocktails: Urban Glow Mocktails serves craft mocktails, including: Dirty NoTini (lemon, dill pickling spices, and olive brine); Nojito (minty-lime with a hint of molasses); CosNo (cranberry, orange, and lime); Grilled Peach No Fashioned (caramelized peach garnished with peach and cherry); Autumn Mule (apple, warm cinnamon, and spicy ginger); Pineapple Upside Down Cake (chilled pineapple slushie); Bonspiel Blue (cucumber, lemon, and blue tea); and Nitro Cold Brew (cold brew on tap, carbonated with nitrogen, with assorted flavor shots). Plus, small bites—Cheweenies (mini Kramarczuk’s all-beef hot dogs nestled in sweet Hawaiian rolls paired with mocktail-inspired mustards). Located at the North End, northwest section, across from the North End Event Center

Stay tuned for our live taste-test coverage from the first day at the Fair on Instagram!